The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925

The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)

ACT No. XXVI OF 1925
[21st September,1925] An Act to amend the law with respect to the carriage of goods by sea
WHEREAS at the International Conference on Maritime Law held at Brussels in October, 1922,
the delegates at the Conference, including the delegates representing His Majesty, agreed
unanimously to recommend their respective Governments to adopt as the basis of a convention
a draft convention for the unification of certain rules relating to bills of lading ;
AND WHEREAS at a meeting held at Brussels in October, 1923, the rules contained in the said
draft convention were amended by the Committee appointed by the said conference ;
AND WHEREAS provision has been made by the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1924, that the
said rules as so amended and as set out with modifications in the Schedule shall, subject to the
provisions of that Act, have the force of law with a view to establishing the responsibilities,
liabilities, rights and immunities attaching to carriers under bills of lading ;
AND WHEREAS it is expedient that like provision should be made in Pakistan ; It is hereby
enacted as followed :SECTION 1 Short title and extent.
1.-(1) This Act may be called the * Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
SECTION 2 Application of Rules.
2. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the rules set out in the Schedule (hereinafter referred to
as the Rules) shall have effect in relation to and in connection with the carriage of goods by
sea in ships carrying goods from any port in Pakistan to any other port whether in or outside
[Pakistan].
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
SECTION 3. Absolute warranty of seaworthiness not to be implied in contracts to which Rules
apply.
3. There shall not be implied in any contract for the carriage of goods by sea to which the Rules
apply any absolute undertaking by the carrier of the goods to provide a seaworthy ship.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
SECTION 4. Statement as to application of Rules to be included in bills of lading.
4. Every bill of lading, or similar document of title, issued in Pakistan which contains or is
evidence of any contract to which the Rules apply, shall contain an express statement that it is
to have effect subject to the provisions of the said Rules as applied by this Act.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)

Section 5 Modification of Article VI of Rules in relation to goods carried in sailing ships and by
prescribed routes.
Article VI of the Rules shall, in relation to (a) the carriage of goods by sea in sailing ships carrying goods from any port in [Pakistan] to
any other port whether in or outside [Pakistan], and
(b) the carriage of goods by sea in ships carrying goods from a port in [Pakistan] notified in this
behalf in the [official gazette] by the [Central Government] to a port [in] [India or Ceylon]
specified in the said notification, have effect as though the said Article referred to goods of any
class instead of to particular goods and as though the proviso to the second paragraph of the
said Article were omitted.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
MSection 6 Modification of Rules 4 and 5 of Article III in relation to bulk cargoes.
Where under the custom of any trade the weight of any bulk cargo inserted in the bill of lading
is a weight ascertained or accepted by a third party other than the carrier or the shipper and
the fact that the weight is so ascertained or accepted is stated in the bill of lading, then,
notwithstanding anything in the Rules, the bill of lading shall not be deemed to be prima facie
evidence against the carrier of the receipt of goods of the weight so inserted in the bill of
lading, and the accuracy thereof at the time of shipment shall not be deemed to have been
guaranteed by the shipper.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Section 7. Saving and operation
7. (1) Nothing in the this Act shall affect the operation of sections four hundred and forty six to
four hundred and fifty, both inclusive, five hundred and two, and five hundred and three of the
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, as amended by any subsequent enactment, or the operation of
any other enactment for the time being in force limiting the liability of the owners of sea-going
vessels.
(2) The Rules shall not by virtue of this Act apply to any contract for the carriage of goods by
sea before such day, not being earlier than the first day of January, 1926, as the [Central
Government] may, by notification in the [official Gazette], appoint, nor to any bill of lading or
similar document of title issued, whether before or after such day as aforesaid, in pursuance of
any such contract as aforesaid.
RULES RELATING TO BILLS OF LADING.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
SCHEDULE
RULES RELATING TO BILLS OF LADING

Article 1. Definitions.
In these Rules the following expressions have the meanings hereby assigned to them
respectively, that is to say(a) Carrier includes the owner or the charterer who enters into a contract of carriage with a
shipper :
(b) Contract of carriage applies only to contracts of carriage covered by a bill of lading or any
similar document of title, in so far as such document relates to the carriage of goods by sea
including any bill of lading or any similar document as aforesaid issued under or pursuant to a
charter party from the moment at which such bill of lading or similar document of title regulates
the relations between a carrier and a holder of the same :
(c) Goods includes goods, wares, merchandises, and articles of every kind whatsoever, except
live animals and cargo which by the contract of carriage is stated as being carried on deck and
is so carried :
(d) Ship means any vessel used for the carriage of goods by sea :
(e) Carriage of goods covers the period from the time when the goods are loaded on the time
when they are discharged from the ship.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Article II Risks
Subject to the provisions of Article VI, under every contract of carriage of goods by sea the
carrier, in relation to the loading, handling, stowage, carriage, custody, care, and discharge of
such goods, shall be subject to the responsibilities and liabilities, and entitled to the rights and
immunities hereinafter set forth.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Article III Responsibilities and Liabilities
1. The carrier shall be bound before and at the beginning of the voyage, to exercise due
diligence to(a) make the ship seaworthy :
(b) properly man, equip, and supply the ship :
(c) Make the holds, refrigerating and cool chambers, and all other parts of the ship in which
goods are carried, fit and safe for their reception, carriage and preservation.

2. Subject to the provisions of Article IV, the carrier shall properly and carefully load, handle,
stow, carry, keep, care for and discharge the goods carried.
3. After receiving the goods into his charge, the carrier, or the master or agent of the carrier,
shall, on demand of the shipper, issue to the shipper a bill of lading showing among other
things (a) The leading marks necessary for identification of the goods as the same are furnished in
writing by the shipper before the loading of such goods starts, provided such marks are
stamped or otherwise shown clearly upon the goods if uncovered, or on the cases or coverings
in which such goods are contained, in such a manner as should ordinarily remain legible until
the end of the voyage :
(b) Either the number of packages or pieces, or the quantity, or weight, as the case may be, as
furnished in writing by the shipper :
(c) The apparent order and condition of the goods :
Provided that no carrier, master or agent of the carrier, shall be bound to state or show in the
bill or lading any marks, number, quantity, or weight which he has reasonable ground for
suspecting not accurately to represent the goods actually received, or which he has had no
reasonable means of checking.
4. Such a bill of lading shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt by the carrier of the goods as
therein described in accordance with paragraph 3 (a), (b) and (c).
5. The shipper shall be deemed to have guaranteed to the carrier the accuracy at the time of
shipment of the marks, number, quantity, and weight, as furnished by him, and the shipper
shall indemnify the carrier against all loss, damages, and expenses arising or resulting from
inaccuracies in such particulars. The right of the carrier to such indemnity shall in no way limit
his responsibility and liability under the contract of carriage to any person other than the
shipper.
6. Unless notice of loss or damage and the general nature of such loss or damage be given in
writing to the carrier or his agent at the port of discharge before or at the time of the removal
of the goods into the custody of the person entitled to delivery thereof under the contract of
carriage, or, if the loss or damage be not apparent, within three days, such removal shall be
prima facie evidence of the delivery by the carrier of the goods as described in the bill of lading.
The notice in writing need not be given if the state of the goods has at the time of their receipt
been the subject of joint survey or inspection.
or failure in the duties and obligations provided in this Article or lessening such liability
otherwise than as provided in these Rules, shall be null and void and of no effect.
A benefit of insurance or similar clause shall be deemed to be a clause relieving the carrier from
liability.

The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)

RArticle IV Rights and Immunities
In any event the carrier and the ship shall be discharged from all liability in respect of loss or
damage unless suit is brought within one year after delivery of the goods or the date when the
goods should have been delivered.
In the case of any actual or apprehended loss or damage, the carrier and the receiver shall give
all reasonable facilities to each other for inspecting and tallying the goods.
7. After the goods are loaded the bill of lading to be issued by the carrier, master or agent of
the carrier, to the shipper shall, if the shipper so demands, be a shipped bill of lading,
provided that, if the shipper shall have previously taken up any document of title to such goods,
he shall surrender the same as against the issue of the shipped bill of lading, but at the option
of the carrier, such document of title may be noted at the port of shipment by the carrier,
master, or agent with the name or names of the ship or ships upon which the goods have been
shipped and the date or dates of shipment, and when so noted the same shall for the purpose
of this Article be deemed to constitute a shipped bill of lading.
8. Any clause, covenant or agreement in a contract of carriage relieving the carrier or the ship
from liability for loss or damage to or in connection with goods arising from negligence, fault
1. Neither the carrier nor the ship shall be liable for loss or damage arising or resulting form
unseaworthiness unless caused by want of due diligence on the part of the carrier to make the
ship seaworthy, and to secure that the ship is properly manned, equipped and supplied, and
make the holds, refrigerating and cool chambers and all other parts of the ship in which goods
are carried fit and safe for their reception, carriage and preservation in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph 1 of Article III.
Whenever loss or damage has resulted from unseaworthiness, the burden of proving the
exercise of due diligence shall be on the carrier or other person claiming exemption under this
section.
2. Neither the carrier nor the ship shall be responsible for loss or damage arising or resulting
from (a) act, neglect, or default of the master, mariner, pilot, or the servants of the carrier in the
navigation or in the management of the ship
(b) Fire, unless caused by the actual fault or privity of the carrier :
(c) perils, dangers and accidents of the sea or other navigable waters :
(d) act of God :
(e) act of war :

(f) act of public enemies :

(g) arrest or restraint of princes, rulers or people, or seizure under legal process :
(h) quarantine restriction :
(i) act or omission of the shipper or owner of the goods, his agent, or representative :
(j) strikes or lock-outs or stoppage or restraint of labour from whatever cause, whether partial
or general :
(k) riots and civil commotions :
(l) saving or attempting to save life or property at sea :
(m) wastage in bulk or weight or any other loss or damage arising from inherent defect, quality,
or vice of the goods :
(n) insufficiency of packing :
(o) insufficiency or inadequacy of marks :
(p) Latent defects not discoverable by due diligence :
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Article 5 urrender of Rights and Immunities, and Increase of Responsibilities and Liabilities.
A carrier shall be at liberty to surrender in whole or in part all or any of his rights and
immunities or to increase any of his responsibilities and liabilities under the Rules contained in
any of these Articles, provided such surrender or increase shall be embodied in the bill of lading
issued to the shipper.
The provisions of these Rules shall not be applicable to charterparties, but if bills of lading are
issued in the case of a ship under a charterparty they shall comply with the terms of these
Rules. Nothing in these Rules shall be held to prevent the insertion in a bill of lading of any
lawful provision regarding general average.
(q) any other cause arising without the actual fault or privity of the carrier, or without the fault
or neglect of the agents or servants of the carrier, but the burden of proof shall be on the
person claiming the benefit of this exception show that neither the actual fault or privity of the
carrier nor the fault or neglect of the agents or servants of the carrier contributed to the loss
damage.
3. The shipper shall not be responsible for loss or damage sustained by the carrier or the ship
arising or resulting from any cause without the act, fault or neglect of the shipper, his agents or
his servants.

4. Any deviation in saving or attempting to save life or property at sea, or any reasonable
deviation shall not be deemed to be an infringement or breach of these Rules or of the contract
of carriage, and the carrier shall not be liable for any loss or damage resulting therefrom.
5. Neither the carrier nor the ship shall in any event be or become liable for any loss or damage
to or in connection with goods in an amount exceeding 100% per package or unit, or the
equivalent of that sum in other currency, unless the nature and value of such goods have been
declared by the shipper before shipment and inserted in the bill of lading.
This declaration if embodied in the bill of lading shall be prima facie evidence, but shall not be
binding or conclusive on the carrier.
By agreement between the carrier, master or agent of the carrier and the shipper another
maximum amount than that mentioned in this paragraph may be fixed, provided that such
maximum shall not be less than the figure above named.
Neither the carrier nor the ship shall be responsible in any event for loss or damage to or in
connection with goods if the nature or value thereof has been knowingly mis-stated by the
shipper in the bill of lading.
6. Goods of an inflammable, explosive or dangerous nature to the shipment whereof the carrier,
master or agent of the carrier, has not consented, with knowledge of their nature and
character, may at any time before discharge be landed at any place or destroyed or rendered
innocuous by the carrier without compensation, and the shipper of such goods shall be liable for
all damages and expenses directly or indirectly arising out of or resulting from such shipment.
If any such goods shipped with such knowledge and consent shall become a danger to the ship
or cargo, they may in like manner be landed at any place or destroyed or rendered innocuous
by the carrier without liability on the part of the carrier except to general average, if any.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Article VI Special Conditions
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Articles, a carrier, master or agent of the
carrier, and a shipper shall in regard to any particular goods be at liberty to enter into any
agreement in any terms as to the responsibility and liability of the carrier for such goods, and as
to the rights and immunities of the carrier in respect of such goods, or his obligation as to
seaworthiness, so far as this stipulation is not contrary to public policy, or the care or diligence
of his servants or agents in regard to the loading, handling, stowage, carriage, custody, care,
and discharge of the goods carried by sea, provided that in this case no bill of lading has been
or shall be issued and that the terms agreed shall be embodied in a receipt which shall be a
non-negotiable document and shall be marked as such.
Any agreement so entered into shall have full legal effect :
Provided that this Article shall not apply to ordinary commercial shipments made in the ordinary
course of trade, but only to other shipments where the character or condition of the property to

be carried or the circumstances, terms and conditions under which the carriage is to be
performed, are such as reasonably to justify a special agreement.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Article VII Limitations on the Application of the Rules
Nothing herein contained shall prevent a carrier or a shipper form entering into any agreement,
stipulation, condition, reservation or exemption as to the responsibility and liability of the carrier
or the ship for the loss or damage to or in connection with the custody and care and handling
of goods prior to the loading on and subsequent to the discharge from the ship on which the
goods are carried by sea.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Article VIII Limitation of Liability
The provisions of these Rules shall not affect the rights and obligations of the carrier under any
Statute for the time being in force relating to the limitation of the liability of owners of sea
going vessels.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (Pakistan)
Article IX The monetary units mentioned in these Rules are to be taken to be gold value.